Sept 20, 2005 - American breweries Sierra Nevada Brewing and Rogue Ales both took home multiple medals in the 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards handed out in Germany, while Samuel Adams and BridgePort Brewing also scored major victories.

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The bi-annual awards are sometimes called "the Oscars of the brewing industry." First run in 1886, they honor excellence in "the commercial worth of the beer quality" and are only judged by currently practicing professional brewers.

For the first time in the competition's 119-year history, the BIIA moved abroad from the United Kingdom. The shift to Munich was made to significantly increase awareness among brewers in emerging brewing markets that would be visiting the Drinktec exhibition to view the latest technology and services that the industry has to offer. As an example of how international the awards have become, the nine medals in International Lagers went to brewers in nine different countries.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale won Champion Beer in the International Kegs competition after capturing gold in the 3.9%-6.9% subcategory. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale also won silver in International Ales 5.2%-6.9% and Sierra Nevada Porter captured bronze in International Dark Milds 4.9%-6.9%.

Rogue Ales grabbed four medals, taking gold and silver in International Specialty-Other Specialty Ingredients with Rogue Chocolate Stout and Rogue Hazelnut Brown, winning silver in International Strong Beer-Lager with Morimoto Imperial Pilsner, and taking bronze with Rogue American Amber in International Ales 5.2%-6.9%.

Samuel Adams won Champion Beer in International Dark Milds with Sam Adams Cream Stout as well as winning gold in the 2.5%-4.8% subcategory.

BridgePort IPA repeated its 2000 performance (when it also won Champion Beer) by capturing gold in International Ales 5.2%-6.9%. BridgePort won silver in the category in 2002.